Respite care is time off for the caregiver of an elder, or disabled, family member. Respite is meant to give the caregiver time to rest, focus on his or her own needs and to give a mental and physical break so that the caregiver can continue to provide good care for their loved one.
Stress wears on the body, spirit and mind. Often, caregivers are under near constant stress, as the duties are typically physically and emotionally draining. Without down time, caregivers can have a serious decline in both their mental and physical health.
Respite care can come in many forms, ranging from friends and family stepping in, to profession or social services. We’ll look at options closer in upcoming blog posts, but if you are the primary caregiver of a loved one and feel overwhelmed, depressed or exhausted, please ask for help. Doing so shows you care enough about your loved one to know when you need to care for yourself.
